just wanna kno if anyone has had issues with passing inspection with a jdm type r front end conversion, a friends car i work on all the time has made it threw once no problem and once failed for no amber turn signals, considering the conversion but dont like headachs, i have a 95 rs, might just do 96 type r frontend any thoughts?

 

why did he have clear turn signal bulbs? the conversion comes with and is suppose to have amber bulbs

 

We dont have inspection over here in Cali, so I dont know exactly what is inspected.

However, I wouldnt see a problem if the conversion is done correctly and as stock as possible. Meaning no HID lights and keep the amber bulbs for the turn signals.

The two main things that make the JDM front end illegal is that the front impact beam is replaced with a much thinner beam and that the headlights are intended for driving on the left side of the road.

 

u wont pass light test cuz there not DOT approved, U wont pass CHP cuz they dont have vin numbers on fenders, hood n bumper, only 1 on radiator support and since its JDM they wont see the VIN number in their database.

i learned the hard way.

but im in cali, maybe in other state it will be fine

 

The OP has a 1995 Integra which means that it will not have vin numbers on the body panels anyway. Theoretically a jdm front is really not legal, because of the front bumper support being virtually nonexistent, and the lights are not US DOT approved. Would most shops know to looks for things like that...probably not. If you went to your shop running your mouth about how you have a "sweet jdm front" they might be more apt to look. Good luck to the OP no matter which way you choose!

 

Could be that the headlights do not have an orange reflector like US head lights do or the guy just had those mad tyte blue turn signals.

You mean the right side of the road?

 

the car has amber bulbs but they failed him for no amber reflectors, in delaware inspection isnt real strict they dont match all vins at all, pretty much a visual inspection that everything works and non loaded emissions test, pre 96,

 

No in japan they drive on the left. So the headlights are meant to shine more right so it covers more of the road. where as here they are meant to shine more to the left to cover more of the road

 

no no no. In Japan they drive on the left, with oncoming traffic on the right. The headlights aim higher to the left, so as to not glare in oncoming traffic.

It's the opposite here, and with JDM headlights the lights aim upward to the left, towards oncoming cars = bad.

And yes USDM cars are required to have amber reflectors near the front corners of the vehicle, which is another reason why technically the JDM front is illegal. OEM side markers are amber, of course, but they do not contain reflective lenses, nor are they near the front corners of the vehicle.

 

JDM tail lamps also lack a side reflector. I guess they don't mandate side reflectors or side marker lamps over there.

Amusingly, here in the US we do not require amber front turn signals. Legally, they can be any color from white to amber.

The reason many cars can't use white turn signals is because they use the same bulb for both the front side marker and turn signal. Side markers must be amber. If you have separate lamps for side markers and turn signals, white signals is legal.

The part that gets me is that I have had cops tell me that they were grateful I "stayed legal" by using amber bulbs in my reflector lacking clear corner lamps. Why does a car enthusiast know the law better than the enforcement?

 

Remember that law enforcement officials do have a much wider range of coverage than just automobile issues, but I do agree. Most generally they have lackluster knowledge at best when it comes to what is legal and what is not. As a Pa state inspection mechanic I can tell you if you are really worried, go to a reputable shop and they should have an inspection manual on hand that explains what is and what is not legal.

 

I was almost right lol. I knew it had to be something like that lol

 

thanks for all of ur input fellas, still not sure which way i wanna go, but will def take all into consideration

 

just fyi, i smogged my jdm front gsr about 1 month ago, here in SOCAL ... no problems. Its also slammed, and they didnt say anything about the headlight height law...

 

well if this helps it passed here in New York

 

just come to florida to get it registard, they dont do inspections.

 

My car has been inspected 3 years in a row in NY state with the 98 hid front end. No problems. I went with the front end on a whim after crashing my stock car, but it worked out fine and went together real clean. Im happy with it.

 

my cars in utah and i have no problems lol

 

thanks alot everyone, i think im gonna start saving